Contributed by: maverickScott(others by this writer | submit your own)Published on September 13th 2001The top three ska-punk releases of all time, in no order, are as follows:
1. Operation Ivy - Energy [I doubt anyone would argue with this]
2. Less Than Jake - Hello Rockview [for me, at least, but you'll get a lot of people saying either "Pezcore" or "Losing Streak"]
3. Slapstick - any fucking th.

The top three ska-punk releases of all time, in no order, are as follows:
1. Operation Ivy - Energy [I doubt anyone would argue with this]
2. Less Than Jake - Hello Rockview [for me, at least, but you'll get a lot of people saying either "Pezcore" or "Losing Streak"]
3. Slapstick - any fucking thing they put out.

Slapstick was fucking great. I mean really, really great. I just pulled out this CD tonight after a very long day, gave it the old dusting off [as it had been a long time since it had taken a ride in my stereo], and cranked the volume knob up. From "There's A Metalhead In The Parking Lot" to "Alternative Radio," this is the comprehensive Slapstick anthology, containing everything they ever recorded. Too bad they don't have anything else in the archives, as I would gladly buy another disc or two of this stuff.

For those of you who honestly have never heard of this band, let me throw down some other names: ever heard of the Alkaline Trio, Tuesday, The Honor System, The Broadways, The Lawrence Arms? They *all* have members dating back to Slapstick. Hell, probably half of Asian Man's catalog is Slapstick-related in some manner. This band changed the way people looked at ska music, just like what Operation Ivy did almost a decade earlier. Brendan's ferocious [if slightly off-key] vocals coupled with his incredibly insightful lyrics for his age made this band stand tall over the rest of the Chicago punk scene in the mid nineties. When you add the insanely talented rhythm section of Dan Andriano [bass] and Rob Kellenberger [drums], plus a horn section that never ever sounded out of place, it seemed like everything this band came near turned to gold. Songs like "Johnny," "There's A Metalhead In The Parking Lot," and "Ed" are big standouts among a sea of choice cuts, all containing the straightforward punk vibe that later bands like the Broadways contained along with the rare ska element that actually fitted with the music. So many ska bands seem to treat their horn section as a burden instead of an asset. This band used every member to their fullest advantage, with pretty much everyone contributing to vocals at some point. Slapstick could have signed to a major label; the offers were there. Slapstick could have stuck around longer than they wanted to; the fanbase was there. Slapstick could have been the kings of the world; they settled for being the kings of the Fireside Bowl. My only regret is never getting to see them live. I was actually in Chicago the day of their reunion shows and still didn't go [it's a long story]. If you had the chance to see Slapstick, I assume you took full advantage and got to witness a life-changing band first hand. If you're one of the unlucky like myself, go buy their video from Asian Man and pick up this discography. It's one of the few things that will actually get this fat old man skanking like he was in 9th grade all over again.

I just got this today, and after having played it twice through, I feel like I could say, with a straight face, that Slapstick is now a favorite band of mine. Holy shit, what an amazing discography. It's a damn shame that they weren't around any longer to release more material. I'd pick up another CD of their's in a heartbeat.

--Steve--

Anonymous (October 22, 2005)

uhh they have 3 other recorded songs guy smily off the super hero ep there is also i hate girls and the man i think they are called they are poorly recorded songs but great

Anonymous (October 11, 2005)

Having seen Slapstick many times, I can honestly say that the Elgin, Illinois punk scene in the mid 90's was blessed to have these guys as locals.

I really don't see what's so great about Slapstick. Many of the members have gone on to 'bigger and better things', but Slapstick themselves were nothing special. I'm not saying they are bad, but really it's pretty generic stuff.
Ska was huge in the mid-90's and they sounded just like about a hundred other bands around that time. Funny how they broke up when the scene started dying out and they're all in emo bands now. I guess whatever the next big trend is in punk, those guys will be on top of it.

Well to gripe about some mistakes:
The song is called "I Hate Girls" not "Girls Suck" . The album is not called Discography. It is called 25 songs or just self titled. I for one think this is the best triumph for the Chicago punk/ska scene. 3 people in this band split up to form 3 incredible bands... Alkaline Trio, the Lawrence Arms, and The Honor System. If you dont think this is one of the greatest ever skacore or skapunk albums, please down a bottle of pills and throw that Blink 182 CD out of your window.

Anonymous (September 17, 2001)

did anyone read the first line? 'ska-punk' means ska and punk, not just ska like the slackers, hepcat, madness, or the pietasters. Slapstick is the best ska-punk band ever, even surpassing opiv in my opinion.has anyone ever heard 'girls suck'. its a great song from slapstick.- fathead

A note on the adding of reviews:
Aubin is the only person that can add reviews written by users. I can only add reviews that I personally write. If you have an issue about it [and I know what you're saying; it is frustrating when new reviews are only up there for 5 minutes] email Aubin at aubin@punknews.org.

I love these guys. It's a great album, but I don't know if it's one of the top 3 ska albums of all time (at least not for me.) Lawrence arms kick ass too. I'm not too keen on the honour system though. Sweet fuck, did I just say keen? Anyways, Great review.

Anonymous (September 15, 2001)

Hey - I've never heard this album before but I have a comment for Scott. When you add reviews, can you try to do it before 10 new ones are there? Because twice that's happened to reviews of mine that get pushed off the "new reviews" thing and get like 3 or 4 hits.

I mean I know because of what happened on Tuesday you guys didn't update for a while, but I mean this happens before. This is a great site though (need to get the ass kissing in), just wanted to voice that (and sorry I don't have your email, but couldn't find a "contact us" page on the site).

im sorry but i might just be dumb but i believe hepcat is overrated and everyone keeps calling them the best. and i dont buy it. i really dont like them.

Anonymous (September 14, 2001)

This CD took me a few listens to get into. The only song I'd heard before I bought it was Metalhead in the Parking Lot. I'm usually not into music that isn't very melodic so this took a while to grow on me. But oh once it did....

There are some legendary songs on this disc. None of the bands that have spawned from Slapstick will ever carry the intensity that this disc provides. I can't even describe how awesome some of the songs on the CD are. My personal favorites: Metalhead, Good Times Gone, Colorado, She Doesn't Love Me, Ed, and Broken Down. The lyrics are as good as the music also. I can't say enough good stuff about this band that is so different from my normal musical tastes.

Yeah Scott, your top 3 Ska releases are a little off in my eyes. Hepcat, Slackers, Pietasters, Madness, Specials....those are ska bands. Op Ivy and LTJ are more "ska-core", however the hell you want to define that. Bosstones-y I guess.

Anonymous (September 14, 2001)

I disagree totally on your top 3 ska releases (I would say Hepcat, Skatalites and Madness) but this is a superb album, and I recommend it to anyone, whether they like ska or not. This transcends ska-punk.

Anonymous (September 14, 2001)

slapstick is defintely one of the best ska-punk bands of all times, when asian man said they only had 100 copies of the reuinion show i was on the phone and got one, now they have mad more copies due to the demand. Pete there tombonist was in LTJ but recently has left the band for school. undoubtally one of the best records ever. They Lyrics were great and the meliodies add to the great music simply amasing, i to this day vow to start a ska-punk because of the energy i get when i listen to this bad boy